TRIBUTES are pouring in for Tony Wilson from Manchester celebrities, broadcasters and politicians.

New Order drummer Stephen Morris said: “I'm still in shock.

TRIBUTES are pouring in for Tony Wilson from Manchester celebrities, broadcasters and politicians.

New Order drummer Stephen Morris said: “I'm still in shock.

“He really was Mr Manchester, he believed in the city. There are all those bands that wouldn't have existed without him and, of course, the Hacienda.

“I'm just recalling the last time I saw him which was a few weeks ago. He was very, very ill but there was still Tony in there, he hadn't lost that look in his eye.

“There are so many things that he achieved but the greatest thing we have is the music and all the memories. It's a great loss.”

Broadcaster James H Reeve said: “Where do you start? He was a counterweight to Coronation Street ie that there is much more to this great city than a soap opera.”

Andy Rourke, former bassist with The Smiths who has also led the versus Cancer campaign, said: “I'm a bit lost for words, it's obviously a very sad day for Manchester.

“He was one of the good guys and they are getting fewer and fewer in this world.

“Tony will be remembered as a big character who never compromised himself.”

Coronation Street star Michael LeVell, who plays mechanic Kevin, said: “He was one of the biggest and liveliest characters. He was never a man to mince his words. He just said what he thought and if you did not like it 'stuff you'.

“He was a godsend to Manchester.”

BBC Radio Manchester presenter Terry Christian said he was “absolutely devastated” by the news.

He said: “I loved Tony.

“To me he is irreplaceable. It is a massive loss to Manchester. He was the icon figure we could all kick against. He was the whole representation of Manchester.

“My wife worked with him on all his projects like the Happy Mondays and she is in tears here.

“Tony was so full of life. He was fantastic and I never got tired of his company. You would fall out with him but he was always bigger than anything and you could always talk to him.”

Broadcaster Eamonn O'Neal, who knew the presenter from their days working at Granada during the 1990s, said that his friend's often flamboyant image belied a man of “profound humility”.

He said: “A lot of people would be surprised to hear how generous he was and how willing he was to help new presenters. He didn't laud it up but really made an effort to make new people feel at home.

“He was one of the biggest broadcasters of our time and, despite the front he put up, he was actually had a kind of profound humility although he would have hated people to know it.”

City councillor Pat Karney said: “He was one of my great heroes. Although he had countless offers to go to London, he never left us.

“Thousands of Mancunians will have great memories of him because he is one of those people who touched all corners of the city.

“Although I am in Berlin, I will light a candle for him tonight.”

Deputy council leader Jim Battle, who joined forces with Wilson to fight plans for city centre lap dancing club, paid tribute to the broadcaster.

He said: “Tony was one of the great Mancunians. He stamped his personality on the city and the city stamped its personality on him.

“He was recognised worldwide as being one of the most recognisable people from this city and our sympathy is with his friends and family.”

TV bosses at Granada – where Wilson first came to prominence as a news and music presenter – also offered their praise.

A Granada spokeswoman said: “We are saddened to hear of Tony's death. He was an institution at ITV Granada and an inspiration to the music industry. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.”

Wilson also received tribute from the BBC, where he worked as a DJ on Radio Manchester.

A spokeswoman for the corporation last night praised him as “one of a kind”.

She said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Tony Wilson. There will never be anyone quite like Tony. He was a true free spirit and a passionate advocate for Manchester – the city, its people and, of course, its music.

“Tony had a fantastic broadcasting career, latterly with the BBC, and everyone in the industry will share our deep sense of loss today. He was one of a kind and will be sadly missed.”

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